JP2007243823A - Portable terminal equipment, wireless communication unit and usage limiting system comprising the portable terminal equipment and the wireless communication unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save power for portable terminal equipment, when in a state where a wireless communication unit and the portable terminal equipment are separated, such that authentication cannot be successful by wireless communication continues. <P>SOLUTION: The portable terminal equipment 2 receives carrier waves transmitted from the wireless communication unit in a wireless control part 21 for authentication, measures the electric field strength in an authentication processing part 22 and decides the magnitude with respect to a prescribed value. When the electric field strength is smaller than the prescribed value as the result of determination, a power source 29 is controlled and power to be supplied to a power-saving object part 30 is suppressed by a power-saving control part 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable terminal device that restricts the execution of some functions when the strength of radio waves that perform wireless communication with each other is weak, a wireless communication unit that issues an alarm, and the portable terminal device and the wireless communication unit. Consists of a restricted use system.

  In recent years, electronic devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, and personal computers are widely used as communication means and information processing means. However, there are many cases of loss or theft due to misplacement, etc., and there is an increased risk of unauthorized use by others and leakage of personal information such as telephone books. Along with this, technologies for enhancing security are becoming more and more important.

Conventionally, a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, a PDA, or a personal computer, and a wireless communication unit (key) attached to these mobile terminal devices that can be always carried by a user, and an identification code assigned to each device During the period of mutual wireless communication (polling), the use restriction of the mobile terminal device is canceled, and when the wireless reception level drops below a predetermined value due to the distance between each other, the use of the mobile terminal device A use restriction system is known in which the release of restriction is stopped to disable operation, and a warning signal is generated by a wireless communication unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Patent No. 293276

  FIG. 8 shows an outline of processing in a conventional use restriction system. In the use restriction system shown in FIG. 8A, the system user holding the wireless communication unit 201 passes the authentication areas (the wireless unit 201 and the mobile terminal device 202 respectively) via (1) to (8). It is assumed that the wireless reception level to be received is an area where the wireless reception level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value) and an unauthenticated area (an area where the wireless reception levels received by the wireless unit 201 and the mobile terminal device 202 are equal to or lower than a predetermined value).

  With the above configuration, the wireless communication unit 201 held by the system user issues an alarm signal when moving from the authentication area to the non-authentication area (the arrow portion in the item “alarm state” column in FIG. 8B). ), The function of the portable terminal device 202 existing at a distant position is limited or stopped.

  However, the wireless communication unit 201 and the portable terminal device 202 in such a use restriction system are insufficient in power saving. In particular, continuing the wireless communication when the wireless communication unit 201 and the mobile terminal device 202 are separated such that the wireless communication unit 201 and the mobile terminal device 202 cannot be successfully authenticated by wireless communication is unnecessary for the wireless communication unit 201 and the mobile terminal device 202. It is preferable to reduce power consumption as much as possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a portable terminal capable of saving power when the wireless communication unit and the portable terminal device continue to be separated to the extent that they cannot be successfully authenticated by wireless communication. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus, a communication unit, and a use restriction system including a mobile terminal device and a wireless communication unit.

  The portable terminal device of the present invention is a portable terminal device that performs wireless communication with a paired wireless communication unit, the portable terminal side wireless unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit, and the portable terminal side wireless unit When the mobile terminal side detection unit that detects the strength of the radio wave received from the wireless communication unit and the strength of the radio wave detected by the mobile terminal side detection unit exceeds a predetermined value, the mobile terminal device includes Power to be supplied to at least one component constituting the mobile terminal device during a period when the intensity of the radio wave detected by the mobile terminal side detection unit is lower than a predetermined value and a function restriction control unit that permits execution of various functions Is suppressed from the power supplied to the one part during the period when the intensity of the radio wave detected by the mobile terminal side detection unit exceeds a predetermined value. And, those with a.

  According to this configuration, when the wireless communication unit and the mobile terminal device continue to be separated so as not to be successfully authenticated by wireless communication, the power supplied to one component of the mobile terminal device is suppressed, thereby saving power. Electricity is possible.

  The wireless communication unit of the present invention is a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a paired mobile terminal device, the unit-side wireless unit that performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal device, and the unit-side wireless unit configured to A unit-side detector that detects the intensity of radio waves received from the mobile terminal device, and the unit-side radio unit performs wireless communication during a period when the intensity of the radio waves detected by the unit-side detector is below a predetermined value. A unit that suppresses the electric power to be output to be lower than the electric power that the unit-side radio unit outputs to perform wireless communication during a period in which the intensity of the radio wave detected by the unit-side detection unit exceeds a predetermined value A side power suppression control unit.

  According to this configuration, when the wireless communication unit and the mobile terminal device continue to be separated so as not to be successfully authenticated by wireless communication, the power output by the wireless unit of the wireless communication unit to perform wireless communication It is possible to save power by suppressing.

  The use restriction system of the present invention is composed of the mobile terminal device of the present invention, the wireless communication unit of the present invention, and G.

  According to this configuration, when the wireless communication unit and the mobile terminal device continue to be separated to such an extent that they cannot be successfully authenticated by wireless communication, it is possible to save power in the mobile terminal device and the wireless communication unit. .

  The portable terminal device, the wireless communication unit, and the use restriction system according to the present invention can save power when the wireless communication unit and the portable terminal device are separated from each other to the extent that they cannot be successfully authenticated by wireless communication. It is.

(First embodiment)
The use restriction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 shows a processing outline of a use restriction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the use restriction system shown in FIG. 1A, the system user holding the wireless communication unit 1 passes through (1) to (8), and the authentication area (wireless unit 1, wireless terminal device 2 wireless). It is assumed that the reception level moves in an area where the reception level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value) and an unauthenticated area (an area where the wireless reception level of the wireless unit 1 and the portable terminal device 2 is equal to or lower than the predetermined value).

  The mobile terminal device 2 shown in FIG. 1 is determined to have not been authenticated with the wireless communication unit 1 (denoted as “non-authenticated” in the column “authentication status” in FIG. 1B) ( In 1), (4), (5), and (8), the execution of various functions of the mobile terminal device 2 is restricted (indicated as “restricted” in the column “restricted state” in FIG. 1B). ) And the power supplied to one component of the portable terminal device 2 is suppressed (denoted as “present” in the column of the item “power saving state” in FIG. 1B).

  Further, it is determined that authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 has been obtained (indicated as “authentication” in the item “authentication status” field in FIG. 1B) (2), (3), (6 ), (7) does not restrict the execution of various functions of the portable terminal device 2 (denoted as “released” in the item “restricted state” column in FIG. 1B), and all of the portable terminal device 2 The power supply to the component is not suppressed (denoted as “None” in the column of the “power saving state” item in FIG. 1B).

  On the other hand, when the wireless communication unit 1 moves from the authentication area to the non-authentication area, the wireless communication unit 1 issues an alarm when it is determined that the authentication cannot be obtained (the solid arrow portion in the item “alarm state” column in FIG. 1B). ).

  In the use restriction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, each area (referred to as a suppression area and a non-suppression area) that suppresses or does not suppress power supplied to one component of the mobile terminal device 2 is referred to as a mobile terminal device. 2 is associated with a non-authentication area and an authentication area that restrict or do not restrict the execution of various functions included in the wireless reception level, but is not limited to this, and a wireless reception level that determines a suppression area and a non-suppression area; By setting the wireless reception level for discriminating the non-authentication area and the authentication area to be different, these areas may not be made to correspond to each other.

  Next, regarding processing by the portable terminal device and the wireless communication unit in the use restriction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the portable terminal device and wireless communication of the use restriction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the processing state transition diagram of the unit.

  After the power is turned on, the wireless communication unit 1 transitions to a search mode A1 (a state in which a search signal for notifying start of authentication is transmitted to a specific mobile terminal device 2 paired by pairing processing). Then, a search signal is transmitted (step S1). On the other hand, the mobile terminal device 2 is in a standby mode B1 in which the search signal from the wireless communication unit 1 can be received at this time.

  When the mobile terminal device 2 receives a search signal from the wireless communication unit 1 during the standby mode B1 (step S2), the mobile terminal device 2 transmits a response signal notifying that the search signal has been received to the wireless communication unit 1 (step S2). S3) transition to a mode for performing authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 (assuming that the wireless communication unit 1 is in the non-authentication area, and transition to the non-authentication mode B2 in order to start authentication, or In order to start authentication on the assumption that the user is in the authentication area, a transition may be made to authentication mode B3).

  When the wireless communication unit 1 receives the response signal from the mobile terminal device 2 (step S4), the wireless communication unit 1 transitions to a mode for performing authentication with the mobile terminal device 2 (authentication assuming that the mobile terminal device 2 is in the non-authentication area). May be transitioned to non-authentication mode A2 to initiate authentication, or may be transitioned to authentication mode A3 to initiate authentication assuming it is in the authentication area).

  The wireless communication unit 1 and the mobile terminal device 2 periodically transmit and receive the identification code signal to each other in the non-authentication modes A2 and B2 and the authentication modes A3 and B3, and measure the electric field strength of the carrier wave that carries the identification code signal. Then, it is determined whether the counterpart device is in the authentication area or the non-authentication area.

  The wireless communication unit 1 and the mobile terminal device 2 transition to the non-authentication mode A2, B2 or the authentication mode A3, B3 according to the determination result. At this time, the wireless communication unit 1 outputs an alarm (step S5).

  Further, the mobile terminal device 2 executes a process of restricting the function of the mobile terminal device or canceling the restriction in accordance with the transition between the non-authentication mode B2 and the authentication mode B3. A process of suppressing the power supply to the component or canceling the suppression is executed (step S5).

  Note that the electric field strength of the carrier wave measured during the period in which the counterpart device exists in the non-authentication area is smaller than the threshold value for separating authentication and non-authentication, but is a value that can be received, and that it cannot be received. In the case of a small value, two are conceivable. In the former case, transition to the above-described unauthenticated modes A2 and B2, and in the latter case (this case is referred to as a non-response state of the counterpart device, which corresponds to step S6), the wireless communication unit 1 and the portable terminal device 2 Transition to search mode A1 and standby mode B1.

  According to the use restriction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to save power in the mobile terminal device 2 in the non-authentication area where it is determined that the wireless communication unit 1 is not authenticated. is there.

  Next, the configuration of the portable terminal device of the use restriction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal device.

  3 includes an authentication wireless control unit 21, an authentication processing unit 22, a function restriction management unit 23, a portable communication wireless control unit 24, and an output unit 25 (speaker 251, microphone 252, LCD 253). ), Operation key 26, portable terminal control unit 27, power saving control unit 28, power supply unit 29, and power saving target unit 30.

  The authentication wireless control unit 21 uses a short-range communication radio wave, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), or the like used for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) via an antenna to perform pairing. A carrier wave including an identification code signal of the wireless communication unit 1 set as a pair with the portable terminal device 2 is transmitted and received by ring processing.

  The authentication processing unit 22 measures the electric field strength of a carrier wave that is periodically received by the authentication wireless control unit 21. If the measured electric field strength is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the wireless communication unit 1 has been authenticated. If the measured electric field strength is smaller than the predetermined value, the wireless communication unit 1 can be authenticated. It is determined that it is not, and the determination result is notified to the function restriction management unit 23 and the power saving control unit 28.

  When notified from the authentication processing unit 22 that the wireless communication unit 1 has not been authenticated, the function restriction management unit 23 controls the use restriction request signal for requesting to restrict the function of the portable terminal device 2. To the unit 27. On the other hand, when notified that the wireless communication unit 1 has been authenticated, the use restriction request signal is not output to the portable terminal control unit 27.

  The portable terminal control unit 27 places restrictions on the execution of the various functions that can be executed by the portable terminal device 2 during the period when the use restriction request signal is notified from the function restriction management unit 23. As an example of the restriction by the portable terminal control unit 27, the portable communication wireless control unit 24 that controls the portable terminal device communication process is controlled not to perform part or all of the communication process, or the output unit 25. The speaker 251 is prevented from outputting sound. Further, control is performed so that the microphone 252 does not collect sound or the display on the LCD 253 is stopped. Furthermore, the operation key 26 may be controlled not to accept an input operation. It should be noted that such a control is registered in advance in the mobile terminal device 2 by the user of the mobile terminal device, and the mobile terminal control unit 27 receives the use restriction request signal from the function restriction management unit 23 during the period of notification. By executing the control contents, it is possible to add an optimal restriction to the application used by the user of the mobile terminal device.

  When notified from the authentication processing unit 22 that the wireless communication unit 1 has not been authenticated, the power saving control unit 28 generates a power suppression request signal for requesting suppression of power supplied to the power saving target unit 29. Output to the power supply unit 29. On the other hand, when notified that the wireless communication unit 1 has been authenticated, the power suppression request signal is not output.

  The power supply unit 29 is a DC power supply such as a battery that supplies power to each unit of the mobile terminal device 2. In response to the power suppression request signal sent from the power saving control unit 28, the power supplied to the power saving target unit 30 is suppressed. On the other hand, when a power suppression request signal is not sent from the power saving control unit 28, normal power is supplied to the power saving target unit 30.

  The power saving target unit 30 is a component of the mobile terminal device 2 that operates by power supplied from the power supply unit 29, and specific examples will be described in Examples 1 to 5 described below.

  The power saving target unit 30 of this embodiment is a large-capacity memory provided in the mobile terminal device 2 in order to execute application software. These memories are only used temporarily during execution of application software, and most of them are normally not used. Therefore, when authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 cannot be obtained, a part of the memory is supplied with power. Cutting off the power supplied from the unit 29 is effective for power saving of the mobile terminal device 2.

  If authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 is not possible during execution of the application software, the work state is saved in a part of the memory and the power supply to the memory used for executing the application software is cut off. Then, the execution of the application software is interrupted. When authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 can be obtained, the power supply to the memory used during the execution of the application software is resumed and the work state stored in a part of the memory is resumed. Reset the contents of the memory that has been cut off from the power supply, and resume execution of the application software. Thereby, power saving of the portable terminal device 2 is possible.

  The power saving target unit 30 of the present embodiment is an LED lamp, a vibrator element, and a speaker 251. In many cases, these components may be stopped or reduced at the same time when the mobile terminal device 2 cannot be authenticated with the wireless communication unit 1 and any function is restricted. For this reason, when authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 cannot be obtained, the current supplied from the power supply unit 29 to these components is limited or cut off. For example, the brightness of the LED lamp is lowered or the amplitude of the vibrator element is reduced. Further, the volume of the speaker 251 is reduced. Then, when authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 can be obtained, the current supply restriction is released, and the brightness of the LED lamp, the amplitude of the vibrator element, and the volume of the speaker 251 are returned to the original state. These are all effective for power saving of the mobile terminal device 2.

  The power saving target unit 30 of the present embodiment is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the mobile terminal device 2 based on a control program stored in the ROM. Since the power consumption of the CPU is proportional to the operating clock frequency, the mobile terminal device 2 can reduce or stop the frequency of the clock signal supplied to the CPU when authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 cannot be obtained. It is effective for power saving.

  For example, when it is detected that the mobile terminal device 2 that is no longer able to authenticate with the wireless communication unit 1 stops a part of its functions and the CPU is in an idle state, The supply of the clock signal to the CPU is stopped. In this state, when authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 can be obtained, interrupt processing is performed on the CPU, and when this is detected, supply of the clock signal to the CPU is resumed immediately. As a result, the CPU returns from the interrupt standby state, and normal operation becomes possible.

  The power saving target unit 30 of this embodiment is the main LCD 253 and the rear LCD in the output unit 25. The display of these may be stopped during a period when the user is not operating, as is the case with recent mobile phones. For this reason, when authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 cannot be obtained, the current supplied from the power supply unit 29 to the backlight of the main LCD 253 and the rear LCD is turned off, and subsequently the display data on the main LCD 253 and the rear LCD Is stopped and the supply of current is stopped. And when authentication with the radio | wireless communication unit 1 comes to be able to be taken, these are returned to the original state. Thereby, the power saving of the portable terminal device 2 is attained.

  The power saving target unit 30 according to the present embodiment is a communication function provided in the mobile terminal device 2. When authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 cannot be obtained, power saving is achieved by selecting and limiting the communication function. Is. The mobile terminal device 2 of the present embodiment periodically transmits and receives an identification code signal to and from the wireless communication unit 1, measures the electric field strength of the carrier wave, and compares it with a predetermined value, thereby performing wireless communication. It is determined whether the unit 1 is in the authentication area or the non-authentication area.For example, when the unit 1 is in the non-authentication area, the transmission / reception interval of the identification code signal is made longer than that in the authentication area. By reducing the transmission output of the carry-out wave, power saving can be achieved.

  In addition, when authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 cannot be obtained, the mobile communication wireless control unit 24 is supplied to such an extent that incoming record processing can be executed when a mail is received and a call is received. By reducing power and returning to the original state when authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 can be obtained, it is possible to save power.

  Furthermore, in the case of a mobile terminal device having a plurality of communication means having different power consumption, for example, a normal mobile phone and a short-range wireless communication means such as Bluetooth, infrared communication, IC chip, etc., When the authentication cannot be obtained, the operation of the communication means with large power consumption is stopped, and when the authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 can be obtained, all the communication means can be used. As a result, power saving of the mobile terminal device can be achieved.

  As described above, according to the use restriction system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the wireless communication unit and the mobile terminal device are separated to the extent that they cannot be authenticated by wireless communication, power saving is achieved. Is possible.

  Further, according to the mobile terminal device 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the carrier wave transmitted from the wireless communication unit 1 is received by the authentication wireless control unit 21 and the electric field strength is measured by the authentication processing unit 22. To determine the magnitude of the predetermined value. When the electric field strength of the carrier wave is smaller than a predetermined value, the power saving control unit 28 controls the power supplied from the power source 29 to the power saving target unit 30 to be suppressed or stopped. Thereby, the power saving of the portable terminal device 2 is attained.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the use restriction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 4 shows a processing outline of the use restriction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the use restriction system shown in FIG. 4A, the system user holding the wireless communication unit 1 passes through (1) to (8), and the authentication area (wireless of the wireless unit 1 and the portable terminal device 2). It is assumed that the area moves in a non-authentication area (an area in which the wireless reception level of the wireless unit 1 and the mobile terminal device 2 is equal to or lower than a predetermined value).

  When the wireless communication unit 1 shown in FIG. 4 moves from the authentication area to the non-authentication area, the wireless communication unit 1 issues an alarm when it is determined that the authentication cannot be obtained (the solid arrow of the item “alarm state” in FIG. 4B). In addition, the power supply to the wireless authentication unit that performs wireless communication for authentication with the mobile terminal device 2 is suppressed (indicated as “present” in the item “power saving state” column in FIG. 4B). ).

  In addition, it is determined that authentication with the mobile terminal device 2 has been obtained (indicated as “authentication” in the field “authentication status” in FIG. 4B) (2), (3), (6 ) And (7), the power supply to the wireless authentication unit is not suppressed (denoted as “None” in the column of the item “Power-saving state” in FIG. 4B).

  In the use restriction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, each area (referred to as a suppression area and a non-suppression area) that suppresses or does not suppress power supply to the wireless authentication unit of the wireless communication unit 1 is referred to as a portable terminal device. 2 is associated with a non-authentication area and an authentication area that restrict or do not restrict the execution of various functions included in the wireless reception level, but is not limited to this, and a wireless reception level that determines a suppression area and a non-suppression area; By setting the wireless reception level for discriminating the non-authentication area and the authentication area to be different, these areas may not be made to correspond to each other.

  Next, regarding processing by the portable terminal device and the wireless communication unit in the use restriction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the portable terminal device and wireless communication of the use restriction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the processing state transition diagram of the unit.

  After the power is turned on, the wireless communication unit 1 transitions to a search mode A1 (a state in which a search signal for notifying start of authentication is transmitted to a specific mobile terminal device 2 paired by pairing processing). Then, a search signal is transmitted (step S1). On the other hand, the mobile terminal device 2 is in a standby mode B1 in which the search signal from the wireless communication unit 1 can be received at this time.

  When the mobile terminal device 2 receives a search signal from the wireless communication unit 1 during the standby mode B1 (step S2), the mobile terminal device 2 transmits a response signal notifying that the search signal has been received to the wireless communication unit 1 (step S2). S3) transition to a mode for performing authentication with the wireless communication unit 1 (assuming that the wireless communication unit 1 is in the non-authentication area, and transition to the non-authentication mode B2 in order to start authentication, or In order to start authentication on the assumption that the user is in the authentication area, a transition may be made to authentication mode B3).

  When the wireless communication unit 1 receives a response signal from the mobile terminal device 2 (step S4), the wireless communication unit 1 transitions to a mode for performing authentication with the mobile terminal device 2 (assuming that the mobile terminal device 2 is in the non-authentication area). In order to start authentication, the user may transit to the non-authentication mode A2, or may transition to the authentication mode A3 in order to start authentication assuming that the user is in the authentication area).

  In the non-authentication modes A2 and B2 or the authentication modes A3 and B3, the wireless communication unit 1 and the mobile terminal device 2 periodically transmit and receive the identification code signal between them, and measure the electric field strength of the carrier wave that carries the signal. By doing so, it is determined whether the partner apparatus is in the authentication area or the non-authentication area.

  The wireless communication unit 1 and the mobile terminal device 2 transition to the non-authentication mode A2, B2 or the authentication mode A3, B3 according to the determination result.

  Further, the wireless communication unit 1 outputs a warning in response to the transition between the non-authentication mode A2 and the authentication mode A3, and executes a process of suppressing or canceling the power supply to the wireless authentication unit (step S5). ).

  Next, the configuration of the wireless communication unit 1 of the use restriction system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the wireless communication unit 1.

  The wireless communication unit 1 (key) of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 includes an authentication wireless control unit 11, an authentication processing unit 12, an alarm output control unit 13, an alarm device 14, a power saving control unit 15, a power supply unit 16, and a power saving unit. A power target unit 17 is included.

  The authentication wireless control unit 11 uses a short-range communication radio wave, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), or the like used for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) via an antenna and a pair. A carrier wave including an identification code signal of the wireless communication unit 1 set as a pair with the portable terminal device 2 is transmitted and received by ring processing. When receiving the power suppression request signal from the power saving control unit 15, the authentication wireless control unit 11 performs wireless communication while suppressing the consumption of power supplied from the power supply unit 16, thereby receiving the carrier wave reception sensitivity and transmission. Reduce output.

  The authentication processing unit 12 measures the electric field strength of a carrier wave that is periodically received by the authentication wireless control unit 11. If the measured electric field strength is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the mobile terminal device 2 has been authenticated. If the measured electric field strength is lower than the predetermined value, the mobile terminal device 2 can be authenticated. It determines that it is not, and notifies the alarm output control unit 13 and the power saving control unit 15 of the determination results.

  The alarm output control unit 13 controls the alarm device 14 to output an alarm when notified from the authentication processing unit 12 that authentication with the portable terminal device 2 has not been achieved.

  When the authentication processing unit 12 is notified that the power saving control unit 15 has not been authenticated with the mobile terminal device 2, the power saving control unit 15 consumes power supplied from the power supply unit 16 to the authentication wireless control unit 11. A power suppression request signal for requesting suppression is output. On the other hand, when the authentication processing unit 12 is notified that authentication with the mobile terminal device 2 has been obtained, the power suppression request signal is not output to the authentication wireless control unit 11.

  In addition, when notified that the authentication processing unit 12 has not been authenticated with the mobile terminal device 2, the power saving control unit 15 requests to suppress the power supplied to the power saving target unit 15. The signal is output to the power supply unit 16. On the other hand, when it is notified that authentication with the mobile terminal device 2 has been taken, the power suppression request signal is not output.

  The power source unit 16 is a DC power source such as a battery that supplies power to each unit of the wireless communication unit 1. The power supply unit 16 supplies power to the authentication wireless control unit 11. The power supply unit 16 receives the power suppression request signal sent from the power saving control unit 15 and suppresses the power supplied to the power saving target unit 17, while the power saving request signal is sent from the power saving control unit 15. When not, normal power is supplied to the power saving target unit 17.

  The power saving target unit 17 is a component of the wireless communication unit 1 that operates with the power supplied from the power supply unit 16, and a specific example will be described in a sixth embodiment described below.

  The power saving target unit 17 of the present embodiment is an LED lamp, a vibrator element, and a speaker 14. In many cases, these components may be stopped or reduced at the same time when the wireless communication unit 1 becomes unable to authenticate with the mobile terminal device 2 and is restricted in any of the functions. For this reason, when authentication with the portable terminal device 2 cannot be obtained, the current supplied from the power supply unit 16 to these components is limited or cut off. For example, by suppressing the amount of power supplied to the LED lamp, the brightness of the LED lamp is lowered, the amplitude of the vibrator element is reduced, and the volume of the speaker 14 is reduced. Then, when authentication with the portable terminal device 2 can be obtained, the current supply restriction is released, and the brightness of the LED lamp, the amplitude of the vibrator element, and the volume of the speaker 14 are returned to the original state. These are all effective for power saving of the wireless communication unit 1.

  Next, the power saving operation of the wireless communication unit 1 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the power saving operation of the wireless communication unit 1.

  First, in step S101, a carrier wave transmitted from the mobile terminal device 2 is periodically received by the authentication wireless unit 11, and the electric field strength of the carrier wave received by the authentication processing unit 12 is measured.

  Then, the authentication processing unit 12 determines whether or not the measured electric field strength is smaller than a predetermined value (step S102). If it is determined that the measured electric field strength is small, the authentication processing unit 12 determines that the authentication is not achieved and determines the power saving control unit 15 Notify this result. At this time, the authentication processing unit 12 also notifies the alarm output control unit 13 that the authentication has not been made, and causes the alarm device 14 to output an alarm.

  In step S103, the power saving control unit 15 outputs a power suppression request signal that requests the authentication wireless control unit 11 to suppress power consumption, and the authentication wireless unit 11 that has received the power suppression request signal The power consumption is suppressed by reducing the reception sensitivity and the transmission output. Further, the power saving control unit 15 outputs a power suppression request signal for requesting suppression of power supplied to the power saving target unit 17 to the power supply unit 16.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the processing procedure of step S102 that the measured electric field strength is not smaller than the predetermined value, the authentication processing unit 12 determines that the authentication has been obtained and returns to the procedure of step 101 to The electric field strength is measured and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In step S <b> 104, the authentication processing unit 12 receives the carrier wave transmitted from the mobile terminal device 2 in a state where the authentication is not performed, by the authentication wireless control unit 11, and the authentication processing unit 12 measures the electric field strength.

  Subsequently, the authentication processing unit 12 determines whether or not the measured electric field strength is greater than a predetermined value (step S105). If it is determined that the measured electric field strength is not large, the state where the authentication is not obtained continues. The determination returns to step S104, the electric field strength of the received carrier wave is measured, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  If it is determined that the electric field intensity measured in the processing procedure in step S105 is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the authentication has been restored, and the power transmitted from the power saving control unit 15 to the authentication wireless control unit 11 is determined. The output of the suppression request signal is stopped, and the authentication wireless control unit 11 receives this and cancels the suppression of power consumption. Further, the power saving control unit 15 stops outputting the power suppression request signal to be sent to the power supply unit 16, and the power supply unit 16 receives this and supplies normal power to the power saving target unit 17 (step S106).

  Thereafter, the procedure returns to step 101, the electric field strength of the received carrier wave is measured, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  As described above, according to the wireless communication unit 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the authentication wireless control unit 11 receives the carrier wave transmitted from the mobile terminal device 2 and determines the electric field strength. The authentication processing unit 12 measures and determines the magnitude of the predetermined value. When the electric field strength of the carrier wave is smaller than a predetermined value, the power saving control unit 15 performs control so as to suppress the power consumption of the authentication wireless control unit 11. Thereby, power saving of the wireless communication unit 1 can be achieved.

  The wireless communication unit, the portable terminal device, and the use restriction system including the portable terminal device and the wireless communication unit according to the present invention continue to be separated so that the wireless communication unit and the portable terminal device cannot be successfully authenticated by wireless communication. If it is, it has the effect of being able to save power, and is useful for portable terminal devices such as mobile phones and PDAs, and information processing devices such as personal computers.

The figure which shows the process outline | summary of the use restriction system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. Processing state transition diagram of portable terminal device and wireless communication unit of use restriction system according to first embodiment of present invention The figure which shows schematic structure of the portable terminal device of the use restriction system which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the process outline | summary of the use restriction system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Processing state transition diagram of portable terminal device and wireless communication unit of use restriction system according to second embodiment of present invention The figure which shows schematic structure of the radio | wireless communication unit of the use restriction system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of the power saving operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication unit of the use restriction system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the processing outline in the conventional use restriction system

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless communication unit 2 Portable terminal device 11, 21 Wireless control part for authentication 12, 22 Authentication processing part 15, 28 Power saving control part 23 Function restriction management part 17, 30 Power saving object part 16, 29 Power supply part

Claims (3)

A portable terminal device that performs wireless communication with a paired wireless communication unit,
A mobile terminal side radio unit for performing radio communication with the radio communication unit;
A mobile terminal side detection unit for detecting the strength of radio waves received from the wireless communication unit by the mobile terminal side radio unit;
A function restriction control unit that permits execution of various functions of the mobile terminal device when the intensity of the radio wave detected by the mobile terminal side detection unit exceeds a predetermined value;
Wireless radio wave detected by the mobile terminal side detection unit during the period when the intensity of the radio wave detected by the mobile terminal side detection unit is below a predetermined value, to be supplied to at least one component constituting the mobile terminal device A mobile terminal side power suppression control unit that suppresses the power supplied to the one component during a period when the intensity of the power exceeds a predetermined value;
A mobile terminal device comprising: A wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a pair of portable terminal devices,
A unit-side radio unit that performs radio communication with the mobile terminal device;
A unit-side detection unit that detects the intensity of radio waves received from the mobile terminal device by the unit-side radio unit;
The power output by the unit side detection unit for wireless communication during the period when the intensity of the radio wave detected by the unit side detection unit is lower than a predetermined value. A unit-side power suppression control unit that suppresses the power of the unit-side radio unit to output in order to perform wireless communication during a period in which the intensity exceeds a predetermined value;
A wireless communication unit comprising:   A use restriction system comprising the portable terminal device according to claim 1 and the wireless communication unit according to claim 2.

Images